Bloodlines: Art, Resilience and a Second Chance – Wednesday 25th February 2026 – Steve Light
For our February talk we welcome Swindon artist, Steve Light.
Artist SLART (Steven Light) shares a deeply personal story of living with chronic kidney disease, facing dialysis, and undergoing two kidney transplants.
Beginning at a critical point in 2021, the talk explores the physical and psychological toll of long-term illness, the importance of psychological support, and how returning to painting became a vital therapeutic tool.
Centred around the self-portrait Bloodlines, it traces the rebuilding of an artistic practice that led to a solo exhibition and an international exhibiting career.
The talk concludes with a message of hope and encouragement for patients to engage with mental health support alongside medical treatment.
Bloodlines: Art, Resilience and a Second Chance – one of Steve’s works from his kidney dialysis story
A bit more about Steve
From his website: https://www.slart.me/
SLART: “I’m a self-taught Outsider Artist from Swindon who creates raw, expressive art. My work focuses on people – their stories and struggles, with a touch of nostalgia – through both canvas pieces and street murals. I never went to art school, which probably explains my unconventional style. Hence the term Outsider Art.”
Art has been my constant companion since childhood. I’d spend hours drawing animals from books and copying cartoons (A child creates naive art but then they’re told to learn how to create art). Then life happened – a 20-year break where art took a backseat. But in 2019, at age 37, I picked up a pen and ink after reading an article that inspired me to take action.
The talks programme
Find our talks programme on the website here: https://friendsofmas.org/events/categories/talks/
When and where
Our talks take place in the council chamber in Swindon’s civic offices on Euclid Street. Doors open at 7pm.
£8 for members and £10 for non-members.
Date/Time
Date(s) - 25/02/2026
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Categories
